CSI2* Roosendaal
Netherlands

Second win of the day for Lynch in Gaston Glock's Championat Vienna

Friday, 19 September 2014

The man of the day in Vienna: Denis Lynch. Photo by Stefano Grasso/LGCT.The Friday night feature class at the Longines Global Champions Tour in Vienna – the Gaston Glock's Championat Vienna – was won by Denis Lynch and All Star 5 (Argentinus x Alme). This was Denis' second win of the day, as he also won the opening class on Double O Seven (Equest Carnute x Irco Mena). The Irishman threw everything he had at the challenging course set by Frank Rothenberger to push Germany's Hans-Dieter Dreher with Embassy II (Escudo I x Silvio I) and Ludger Beerbaum with Chaman (Baloubet du Rouet x I Love You) into 2nd and 3rd, respectively. A rare smile broke across Lynch's face as he accepted his prize before the packed VIP and the title sponsors family Glock.

The first round course was a tough one, beginning with the black Glock wall at No1, including tricky distances and awkward lines in the middle, and ending in a flimsy upright. It was a course requiring a horse with power and scope. The time allowed was also tight, so every rider set off at pace, cutting corners and taking tight lines wherever they dared. Clears were rare towards the beginning of the draw, but the big names quickly rose to the challenge.

By far the most demanding line was the very short treble combination across the floodlit arena on a long five strides to a wide, square Longines oxer. Getting the perfect stride to the oxer going into the treble was key, then riders had to chose whether to hold for six short strides to the Longines oxer or press for five. Many of the less experienced riders or those who didn't get the perfect shot in picked up faults here.

Of the 47 starters, 10 jumped clear. The jump-off course was a twisting route with the options to both gallop and turn back tight. Hans-Dieter Dreher and Embassy II set the standard of 36.39s early on before Ludger and Chaman executed an elegant round to slot into second with 36.56s. From the middle of the draw Denis Lynch, inspired by his earlier win, took all the risks galloping to the last to set an untouchable time of 35.90s drawing cheers and yells from the audience.